Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with

the Code of Conduct

Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter

that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal

interest: and

2. Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the

disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when

they leave.

In accordance with the code of conduct, the following declarations of interest were received

Councillor G Caple – Personal, my sister works in home care

Councillor J Edwards – Personal, one of the public speakers is known to me

Councillor C Middle – Personal, my wife is a critical care worker for advantage Health Care Limited

Councillor R Bevan – Personal my sister in law is a home carer

Councillor K Morgan – Personal, (left the meeting when the item was voted upon) as a signatory to the Call-in

To consider the decision taken by Cabinet on the 23^rd October 2023 in respect of the Commissioning Of Domiciliary Home Care Services

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the report which outlined the procedure for the meeting, as set out in rule 17 of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules. The Service Director advised that a call-in request was received from County Borough Councillors K Morgan, C Lisles and K Johnson within the prescribed timescales on 26 October 2023 which complied with the relevant criteria and considered valid by the proper officer. 

The call-in requested that the decision of Cabinet relating to the report of the Commissioning of Domiciliary Home Care Services from the Cabinet meeting held on the 23^rd October 2023 be considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

He advised that the three signatories who signed the call-in form will firstly be invited to address Committee outlining the reasons, supported by the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications, as proper officer for the meeting, given by them in requesting the call-in and why they consider the decision should be referred back to the decision maker for reconsideration.   Registered public speakers will then be given the opportunity to address Members before the Director of Social Services and Cabinet Member will then be called upon, to address the comments made by the speakers.  The Chair will then invite members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee to consider the valid reasons set out in the report together with the comments of the Director of Social Services and Cabinet Member as to whether the matter should be referred back to Cabinet to be reconsidered. The Director of Social Services and Cabinet Member will then be invited to respond to the questions raised by members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

It was confirmed that one of the nominated signatories would have the right to make their final address to the Committee immediately before a roll call vote is taken on whether or not to refer the matter back to the relevant decision maker for reconsideration. It will be for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to clarify and summarise the effect of the Committee’s decision. Councillor K Morgan confirmed that she will make the final address to the Committee and leave prior to the vote being taken.

Councillor K Morgan

Councillor K Morgan advised that she had signed the Call-In form because the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had not been given the opportunity to pre-scrutinise the decision before it was taken.  She expressed concern at how the proposal affects service users and staff who were not given any prior consultation.  She advised that Cabinet were presented with a petition against the proposal but the record does not state that Cabinet had given consideration to the petition prior to making a decision. She added that many service users had expressed their dissatisfaction at private providers, and high satisfaction with the Council’s Home Care service, yet, in spite of this, there has been no consultation with service users, their families, staff or Trade Unions. She added that the financial implications provide little detail, despite stating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

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